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Tunisia 1-0 Kenya: The Win But Nothing Else

October 11th, 2009 | By: Rami | 39 Comments »

Our boys overcame the visiting Harambee Stars in Rades today by the smallest of margins and we got our three points, albeit with great difficulty and through an underwhelming performance from the majority of the players and the coaching staff.

Add to that the fact that we were less than a minute away from qualifying for next summer’s World Cup a match early and its easy to understand why Tunisians are feeling mighty conflicted about how things went today, myself included.

On the one hand we got our three points and conserved group leadership going into our last qualifier versus Mozambique. On the other we didn’t score enough goals in this game to make a draw an acceptable result in Maputo on November 14th should our West African foes defeat Kenya in Nairobi on the same day.

However, before we get too far into the conversation discussing our outlook for that date with destiny, let’s revisit today’s game against Kenya first.

The Match

What a beautiful sight to see Rades practically full for a national team match, something that hasn’t happened since 2005 when we booked our ticket to the WC in Germany by tying Morocco 2-2.

Just before the match began it crossed my mind that I had seen Tunisia face Kenya during those same qualifiers at Rades and was at the match in question. For that one there weren’t many people present and not much atmosphere in the stadium as a result.

Back then, Haykel Guemamdia opened the scoring about two minutes into the game but the goal came so early and was so unexpected that people hardly celebrated because we were kind of caught off guard by it still didn’t have the opportunity to get stressed at all to want to burst into wild chants or anything of the sort.

Strangely enough, a very similar scenario played out today in Rades with the exception of the amount of fans and the ensuing celebrations after the opener.

Once again our Eagles began the match with great intent. So much so that it only took 27 seconds to score through Issam Jemaa who was beautifully served by an accurate Ousemma Darragi cross. Unlike the last time we played Kenya at home, there was a a real explosion of joy and everyone expected that the goal would have a liberating effect on our players and that we’d be able to build a comfortable cushion thereafter.

However, the exact opposite occurred and it was eerily similar to 2005 when Roger Lemerre’s team contented itself with defending the lead for approximately 88 minutes. While we didn’t quite do that this time, it certainly was just as stressful for everyone involved considering that it was the Kenyans who took took the initiative and began causing us problems in midfield through some slick passing that belied the fact that they were playing without two of their best elements (Oliech and Mariga).

So instead of benefiting from hitting the net with our first attempt, Antoine Hey’s team looked more confident and better on the ball. Nevertheless, we were somewhat unfortunate not to have been awarded at least one penalty kick off of two fouls on Jemaa in the box. Even with that said, they weren’t 100 percent indisputable so not too many hard feelings about them to be honest and we all know that refereeing mistakes are part of this sport we love.

For the most part the fans stayed behind the team and cheered them on even though they were far off their game, both individually and collectively (save Khaled Korbi who was consistently alert and made crucial tackles, especially in the early going).

The Players

Balbouli: Didn’t have too many saves to make but fulfilled his role without making mistakes. If Kenya had been able to turn their ball possession into strikes on goal things may have been different…

Souissi: Had a hand in our winning goal since he gave the ball to Darragi with a quick throw in but as usual didn’t make it very far up the field when we had the ball. Nevertheless, I honestly think the guy is doing a pretty decent job considering this isn’t his natural position. Can’t ask that much more of him right now.

Ghezal: Our captain on the day had a lot of work to do clearing aerial threats when Kenya resorted to launching long balls towards our area near the end of the match but they were all dealt with. Had a great tackle in the second half which was wrongly whistled for a foul. Seif did admit that he should have pushed his team-mates up further to get our lines closer together and employ our press but the fear of leaving space behind him prevented him from doing so.

Jemal: Certainly looks a lot more comfortable in the center of defense than on the left side but we all knew that already. Had some good interventions and his understanding with Ghezzal from their time together at Etoile showed. It’s good to have such complementarity in our defense and we’re lucky that our four main central defenders all know each other well.

Mikari: Showed his speed on a number of occasions but didn’t have quite the same impact he did in Abuja. Fulfilled his defensive role when called upon for the most part and can’t think of any big mistakes in that respect.

Ragued: Made an uncharacteristic number of bad passes but we clearly missed his physical play and commitment as soon as he came off (I’ll touch on this later) even though he wasn’t playing his absolute best.

Korbi: Man of the match honors go to Korbi who was one of the few players on our squad that was able to impose himself physically over the athletic Kenyans. Made the timely tackles when necessary and was running constantly, unlike some of his team-mates…

Taider: He actually didn’t play in defensive midfield like we had thought he would. He was a left sided midfielder but he didn’t even come close to shining like he did in Abuja. Gets credit for attempting a few strikes from distance on rebounds but only for effort, not for accuracy as neither of his shots found their target. One hit an opposing defender on the arm but it wasn’t intentional and no penalty claim was even made.

Ben Saada: One of the players that basically went missing in this match. We expect a lot more from such a highly skilled footballer who has been a game changer at Nice this season. Needs to give more options to his team-mates off the ball and his lack of movement without it was surprising.

Darragi: Perhaps his assist led to overconfidence or he was just tired and not concentrated because the hero of the previous qualifier just didn’t do much of anything after he fed Jemaa for the goal. A sign that no matter how good he is, he still has to learn when to let go of the ball and play simple. That’s a challenge for all good dribblers really and it will come with time and experience. Also, didn’t pressure the ball enough on defense and wasn’t moving to give options to his team-mates when we had possession.

Jemaa: Made up for all of his misses in Nigeria with the winner today but as is almost always the case with Issam, he could have had a few more had he been more ruthless and focused.

Besides for the marvelous header and the missed opportunities he also contributed greatly to ensuring Kenyan defenders had to stay vigilant even when they had the ball. It had to be him that scored too didn’t it? He scored in Nairobi and I’m pretty sure he’s scored against the Harambee Stars in the past before.

Substitues

Fahid Ben Khalfallah: Gave a lot more balance to our midfield when he came into the match in the second half and could have scored a goal even but couldn’t find the target on a nicely taken shot just inside the box. Seemed to want to prove a point that he should be starting in Taider’s place and frankly he just might have gotten his message across…

Showed off his speed more than once too as he blew by defenders and should have had an assist if Jemaa hadn’t failed in getting on the end of his pass.

Jamel Saihi: Largely ineffective as he fulfilled neither of the things he went into the match to do which were to continue the pressure provided by Ragued and also create more link up play with sound passing and movement. Poor outing.

Sofian Chahed: Lively enough but no real fluency to his game. Partly because he wasn’t on the field for that long but also because he went in the main task of helping us conserve the win rather than to push forward for a second.

Coaching

Humberto Coelho and Habib Mejri grossly miscalculated this one. All we were hearing all week is Kenya is coming to defend and we’re going to have to pick them apart but clearly the East Africans didn’t read that memo. They came to play and gave us more trouble than a lot of people expected. You can argue that part of that was the goal we scored which basically forced them to search for an equalizer but honestly I don’t buy that theory since we should be expecting those situations too and have plans for all eventualities.

Biggest mistake of the match has to be taking out Ragued. It basically burnt one of our substitutions. Leaving a guy like Lassad on the bench is also a big question mark. An even bigger question mark is not having Dhaouadi even on the bench available if you need him (seriously, wtf?). I think that not only does Zouheir deserve more respect than that, he deserved to feature in this match too. Furthermore, Mrabet could could have been the guy to go in instead of Saihi too if Coelho insisted on taking out Ragued, which he basically has conceded was a dumb decision (in a more diplomatic fashion of course).

The thing that all Tunisians and even neutrals complain about was once more put on display for all to see: Our lack of audacity and attacking inefficiency. I thought that we were beginning to see glimpses of us overcoming this handicap in Abuja but its clear that you can’t get rid of 6 years of conservative conditioning so quickly, especially if your current coach is not making the right calls off the pitch in a given match.

I don’t want to be over dramatic but there’s serious work to be done in the coming month and it starts on Wednesday versus Saudi Arabia at 19:10 Tunisia Time.

Outlook

So where does this leave us? We scored in the first minute of the match, Nigeria scored in the last minute of theirs and everyone stays in their place. Though its undeniable that being denied qualification in such a fashion was a little tough to swallow (at least for me personally), the most important fact for us remains that Tunisia is still a top Group B with one match left to play.

So as things stand, a win in Maputo next month puts us through hands down. A draw is enough so long as Nigeria doesn’t beat Kenya in Nairobi (wouldn’t count on that but anything is possible) and a loss is unacceptable unless the Super Eagles somehow choke too.

So yes, we missed an opportunity to create more breathing room between us and our pursuers today but we also know that a win against the Mambas is not a stretch for a team such as ours that plays much better and is more focused when we are on the road.

Also, consider this: Today we played what was undoubtedly our worst match of this qualifying campaign. And we still won…

Pictures of the match here and here.

Post match interviews here.

The Winning Goal

In Other News

This is semi-unrelated but worth mentioning. Seif Ghezal was on Dimanche Sport after the game and was asked about Yassine Chikhaoui’s situation. He said that he doesn’t like to ask his former Etoile team-mate too many questions about his health since he doesn’t want to annoy him but from his latest discussions with our maestro’s team-mates, the targeted return date is the beginning of the return legs of the Champions League i.e. the fourth and third of November.

That isn’t concrete and its just a projected return date so this is all speculation but if he came back earlier he’d have an outside chance of being in the list for Mozambique.

Not gonna lie to you and say it can happen for sure because I think its a real long shot but there’s an outside chance. He’d have to have displayed in his club outings that he would be ready for such a rigorous match. Plus its hard to imagine FC Zurich would want to let him go immediately after he comes back.

Anyways, I’m getting too bogged down in ifs and buts. With or without Chikha, we need a win in Mozambique and we’re more than capable of achieving it.

Tags: Antoine Hey, Group H, Humberto Coelho, Issam Jemaa, Kenyan Football, Tunisia 1-0 Kenya, Tunisia vs. Kenya, Tunisian Football

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Displaying the most recent 25 comments from a total of 39 comments.

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By bassem | October 12th, 2009 at 9:12 am

I share your thougts Thamer but al do i realy want to share Rami’s thought, i think we might lost it against the Kenyans. Don’t see us pull of a win over there. Especialy not with the same formation as against Kenya.

But i am not that angree, i know we are going to the AK for sure, thats nice to know. And if we make it, it will be a miracle and if we don’t it wouldn’t be a big shame. We tried our best, failed in calculating and must take the concequenses when we don’t qualify. No drastic measures by the way Coelho can stay my opinion.

Posted from Netherlands

By Achraf | October 12th, 2009 at 10:13 am

I think Zitouni should have replaced Jemaa in the second half. I think Zitouni would have gave 100% of what he’s got to show that he deserves to be on the team. He would have definetly scored that goal that jemaa did not receive the pass well from Khallfallah.

Against Mozambique we will need Chermiti on the list and get playing time!!!

I want to see how Lassad Nouioui performs against Saudi Arabia and see more of Sofien Chahed. Chaheds performance against Saudi Arabia will definitly show if he should play against mozambique and possibly start for souissi.

Posted from United States

By Rami | October 12th, 2009 at 11:10 am

I know Coelho can’t change everything in two days but I really hope to see him test out different solutions versus Saudi Arabia and give Nouioui, Chahed, Zouheir a significant amount of time on the field. If our current starting lineup can’t build attacks then we need to find an alternative one that can. The good thing about our final match is that its on the road and Mozambique still have everything to play for, which means they’ll attack and leave spaces for us to exploit hopefully. I don’t think it would be their style to play for a draw and even if they did well then that the ultimate test for us, to break down an opponent who lets us take the attacking onus.

I don’t see us playing any worse than we did yesterday and knowing what is at stake, I think our players will seize the opportunity and get the result we need. Whoever plays and whatever system, as Mghirbi said on Dimanche Sport yesterday, the players are going to be on the field and they’re going to have to go to the very end of their intentions. It’s win or go home now, literally. We can’t approach it in any other way because I really can’t imagine Nigeria losing or drawing in Nairobi. If they didn’t lose or draw their game yesterday at home against the Mambas in those conditions then we shouldn’t expect any favors at all… Not that we’d turn any down.

By the way, they’re presenting our new jerseys tomorrow at a press conference so we’ll probably be playing in new ones from now on. Hopefully they bring us some attacking fluency hehe. Has anyone found a place to buy the red one? I haven’t yet…

Posted from United States

By Rami | October 12th, 2009 at 11:30 am

Match against Saudi begins at 6:00 pm Tunisia time instead of 7:10. Saudi asked for the change in timing because they want to go right back home after the match and the later time wouldn’t allow them to catch their flight.

Apparently there was a rumor Chermiti didn’t want to join the team for our match against Kenya. He’s denied it and says he obviously wants to come back to the team: http://www.jawharafm.com/sport/0_MA/Oct/12/14h.mp3

I agree with those saying we need to take him to Mozambique. Whether on the field or on the bench this kid has always shown an ability to score in the biggest matches (Champions League, Club World Cup, Tunisian Super Cup etc.) and there isn’t one bigger to us than the Maputo showdown right now. It’s essentially a Cup match and I’d feel better with a Chermiti in the team than not.

Posted from United States

By shane | October 12th, 2009 at 12:09 pm

While I would much prefer Nigeria to make it to South Africa that looks unlikely at this moment. If it is to be Tunisia, I better not see the same lackluster side as in 2002 and 2006, both years in which they had great chances of escaping the group stages.
They are surely more enjoyable to watch now that Lemerre is gone, right? I hope they can help prove that Africa should keep its 6th spot at the 2014 World Cup by being one of multiple African sides to get to the knockout stages.

Posted from United States

By Nabil | October 12th, 2009 at 12:49 pm

In all serous the FTF and even the clubs need to enterin the idea of hiring sports physiologists. We simply struggle when expdctations are high, they only time we have truily overcome and had any succes with hgh expctations was the 2004 ANC. Any othertime be it ANC 1994, last three WC, E

By Nabil | October 12th, 2009 at 1:05 pm

In all seriousness the FTF and even the clubs need to entertain the idea of hiring sports physiologists. We simply struggle when expectations are high, they only time we have truly overcome and had any success with high expectations was the 2004 ANC. Any other time be it ANC 1994, ANC 1998, ANC 2006, last three WC, Taraji and Sfax in CL heartbreak etc etc Hugh expectations simply cause our teams to freeze.

It’s mental issue and it’s something we have failed to address. We focus far too much on the talent of this or that player but the reality is talent wise there is not a lot separating any NT in CAF. I am so tired of hearing yet another Tunisian player in this case Jemma conceding the fact the thier emotions got the better of them.

THIS MUST END!!!

In the famous words of Herman Edwards

“HELLO WE PLAY TO WIN THE GAME”

Fear is simply not an emotion any player can afford whilst on the green grass. Pre game jitters is normal but once the game begins they’re only focus should be on the simple things that they can control i.e passing, off the movements, tracking back etc etc.

Bottom line we should be well past this mental midget stage and yet we’re seemly no closer to shaking it…..

Calling DR.Melfi.

By Rami | October 12th, 2009 at 1:15 pm

Shane, this team is more entertaining than those i think but we really struggle when we play supposedly weaker teams or ones that actually allow us to build our own attacks. we know we messed up big time in our world cup but thats why want to go back again to set the record straight. we have a very talented and youthful generation of players coming up but we still haven’t established a style of play despite some efforts.

Nabil, do you mean sports psychologists? I’d agree with that. We need to take the words “fear” out of our players vocabulary. I’m sick of hearing it. Nervous ok (so long as its not crippling), fearful no! There’s nothing to be afraid of, its a sport they’re getting paid to play and a whole country they get to honor. I’m not saying its not a big responsibility but sometimes I think we respect our opponents too much just like what Mghirbi and Khaled Hosni were saying yesterday on Dimanche Sport. Not underestimating opponents is crucial but overestimating them to the point where you doubt in your ability to beat them convincingly is no good.

It’s the same thing as when you step up to take a penalty kick. Sports psychologists say that the players who think about what might happen if they miss the shot are more likely to miss it while others who embrace the opportunity and think of all the positives, their chances of scoring goes up by a lot.

Some articles about that that are very interesting (the second one is a little less related but still worth a look):

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/euro_2008/7403281.stm

http://bps-research-digest.blogspot.com/2009/09/football-players-who-rush-penalty-kicks.html

Posted from United States

By Nabil | October 12th, 2009 at 1:34 pm

Well said Rami.

After ANC 2004 we should past this stage.

We finally got that massive gorilla off our back, redeemed the failure of 1994 but yet time and again there is this wall of self doubt in Tunisian teams. Save Haggui this was the same 11 that produced a quality game in Abuja, were able to score within 30 seconds but than were crippled by emotions. That is just astonishing, any team coming off such a high, scoring within 30 seconds, at home in front of 50 thousand fanatical fans should go on to a emphatic victory but typically Tunisian we simple froze.

Pressure is he norm at this level, you can’t cope with pressure than find another occupation. Be it qualifiers, ANC and or World cup there will always be one intensely charged must win game after the other.

FFS it’s only football, you’re not going to be executed if you lose or sent to a military camp ala the Ivory Coast.

By Adam Talbi | October 12th, 2009 at 1:47 pm

Tunisia needs just to be prepared to the Mozambique match…………and we need to attack like we did in Nigeria….then we can win.

By bassem | October 12th, 2009 at 2:05 pm

InshALLAH marbouha we are with our boys not against, but like Ahmed said never repeat or use the presure card again, just play to win and go for it, attack score 3 goals and then build a wall, not 1-0 and then the wall, so attack attack and attack.

Posted from Netherlands

By Adam Talbi | October 12th, 2009 at 2:13 pm

I agree with you Bassem we should attack until we are in a comfortable sitiuation……..

By shane | October 12th, 2009 at 3:59 pm

I couldn’t believe it when Tunisia failed to beat Saudi Arabia in the last world cup. To be fair the refs did screw them in the Ukraine game. I think had they a different coach then Lemerre in Germany they would have come in second in the group.

Posted from United States

By Moussa | October 12th, 2009 at 9:57 pm

I agree Zitouni should have been in the second half at least. Also, anytime the team WALKS on the field it is not a good sign. Sometimes I think the BS off the field translates to frustration on the field and since we all know a few North Africans to be complete BABIES then it is no wonder these donkeys can not get their minds straight. They need to FOCUS and play 100% all the time. If they do this they will win 3-0 easily instead of a 1-0 ridiculously lacking match. I think Coelho needs to designate “the team” going fwd and if that includes Chermiti then Chermiti needs to start the next game and “the team” needs to be set… otherwise, it only take one bull-headed (donkey) to mess the whole game up — especially if he knows he will likely be replaced by the “stars”. We all know that in World Cup pasts family ties and politics have meant that undeserving players have been granted playing time in the BIG CONTEST — hopefully Coelho and the FTF do not cave into pressure from ANYONE and the best players actually get to play in the WORLD CUP. TUNISIA will qualify, but is it going to be another 3 games and bye bye OR will they actually show their skill!!!! If not, the we should all support a name change from the Carthage Eagles to the Carthage Donkeys ;o) GO TUNISIA!

Posted from United States

By Adam Talbi | October 13th, 2009 at 4:27 am

I agree with you Moussa. If we Qualify to the world cup 2010, we should show something not like last time in 2006. A draw agaisnt Saudi Arabia????????
I was so disappointed, we need to have a team that can get us through to at least at 2nd round in world cup.

By Bman | October 13th, 2009 at 7:55 am

Simply PUT. Lets just put it this way. IF we CANT beat Mozambique, we really dont have any business in the World CUP.

I am very much hoping we do but that one sentence sums it up. Go big or dont go at all. Go expecting to win it all or dont go at all. Thats the way the best African teams of the WC have been (Cameroon 90 , Senegal 2002 )have been, they had no fear.

Praying for the WIN

Posted from United States

By Achraf | October 13th, 2009 at 8:03 am

Today Coelho explained why he did not use Dhouadi in the the match against Kenya. He said that Dhouadi was not fit that week which is why he was not used.

Posted from United States

By Rami | October 13th, 2009 at 8:16 am

BMAN, I agree. It’s time to go all out. Achraf, I read that too. I should have a preview for tomorrows match up tonight. Sorry I couldn’t do it any earlier.

Here’s the pictures from the jersey unveiling: http://www.mosaiquefm.net/Tsawer/thumbnails.php?album=44

Posted from United States

By Adam Talbi | October 13th, 2009 at 10:05 am

If we don’t win agaisnt Saudi Arabia at least with 2-0 then we are screwed man…………..we should win with 4-0 tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!111

By Rami | October 13th, 2009 at 10:23 am

I don’t think we’re screwed if we don’t win 2-0. I’m predicting 2-1. Below is the preview. I don’t really like predictions and honestly wouldn’t do them if Goal.com didn’t require it.

http://www.goal.com/en/news/1863/world-cup-2010/2009/10/13/1558520/international-friendly-preview-tunisia-saudi-arabia

What I want to see tomorrow is a different team that will fight to win the match from beginning to end. I’m most interested in seeing Nouioui in an Eagles jersey and want to see what Dhaouadi thinks of not even being put on the bench for Kenya. Mozambique match is a month away so there’s no use getting overdramatic. Let’s stay level headed and hope for the best. We should have one more match prior to Moz. We’re going to go to South Africa or Botswana for our next training camp before that game to get used to the climate and also to train on artificial pitches of the same variety as the one in Maputo.

If you still feel bad about us not getting more goals against Kenya or about Nigeria winning in the last 30 seconds of their match I’ll give you a scenario that will make you realize things aren’t bad at all right now: Imagine we played amazing football against Kenya but their goalkeeper had the game of his life and we drew or even lost due to a defensive mistake. Then Nigeria would be in first place. That would be us being screwed. Right now we’re far from it. We’re not going to let this slip now, I trust that our players will fight tooth and nail in Moz and play even better than what we saw in Abuja. The World Cup place is there for the taking and its in their hands. I believe in them.

Posted from United States

By thamer | October 13th, 2009 at 12:06 pm

we do average two goals a match away to one goal a match at home, so thats reassuring. and although i doubt it will happen, if nigeria fails to win in kenya, we qualify regardless of what we do in mozambique. but i doubt it will come down to that, i think that the players will play their hearts out and run for the entire game like they did in nigeria, and we’ll get the win.

Posted from United States

By Feedi | October 13th, 2009 at 2:07 pm

It doesnt matter if we win beautiful or ugly NOW.I just hope we win against Mozambiqeu.Against Saoudi Arabie we have to win beautifull.I just hope we can make it to the world cup and win with some passion!

What is the prior for the CAN?Make the semi-finals,the final or win the africa cup!

I hope Chikhaoui can make his comeback next weekend.Ya rabbi INSHAALLAH!!

Good article Rami and thanks for the usefull comments guys.

Posted from Netherlands

By Adam Talbi | October 13th, 2009 at 2:58 pm

Rami, i like it that you are so optimistic that’s a good thing……..and hopeuly your right!!!!!!!
Feedi we should win 2010 Africa Cup not just get to semifinal we should win for the 2nd time…….and hopefuly we will………
I would see Tunisia win CAN 2010 and in world cup get through to 1/4 final inchallah…………….

By Rami | October 13th, 2009 at 3:06 pm

Feedi, thanks Don’t hold your breath on Chikha. Some people on Tunisie foot are saying Ghezal meant end of Champions League group play. I’m pretty sure I heard him say “fil retour mte3 champions league.” But yea that’s early November. Otherwise it’s in 2010 However long he takes, my only hope is that once he comes back he stays healthy and goes on to shine his brightest. I miss this player so much. We’d probably already be qualified if he had been playing all these games. I know there’s no way to prove that but in a match like the one in Abuja, with that much space that we found on counters. He would have killed it.

Adam, agree about the CAN but for World Cup our goal is getting past the first round for sure. It’s what everyone talks about so just doing that would be a big big step. Then whatever comes after that is a huge bonus. Let’s qualify first though and then we’ll talk about it more

Thamer, you’re right. The players are going to press relentlessly unlike yesterday where some were walking and others were just running after the ball but not pushing up as a team to bother the Kenyans who took the midfield. The key is to move as a group but Ghezal didn’t do his job in pushing everyone up because he was afraid of a long pass behind the defense. I doubt Haggui would let that happen. Plus we have the luxury of analyzing all these mistakes we made to improve on them with the three points in the bag. Tomorrow should be an indication of our intentions inshallah even if its not the first team playing.

Posted from United States

By Achraf | October 13th, 2009 at 3:30 pm

This is the Line up I want to see tomorrow!
———-Mathlouthi———–
Chahed-Ghzal——–Hagui-Abdenour
——-Saihi——–Taider——–
Belaid—–Khallfallah—
——————–Dhouadi–
———–Lassad——————

I want to see what Dhouadi and Lassad got in them. This is their chance to shine and show they deserve to play. Also I want to see how Abdennour plays on the NT just in case we would need him in an emergency. I didn’t see enough of Chahed at the Kenya match and do want to see how he produces at the right back possesion.

Sub-Zitouni, Mrabet, Ben Saada
Rest the rest of the players.